EURO 2024 will kick off on Friday when host nation Germany tackle Scotland in front of packed crowd at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has made his prediction ahead of the tournament, revealing three nations that might be crowned the champion.
Despite their failure to win any silverware in 58 years, England are one of the three standout teams at Euro 2024, according to Rooney.
‘For me, three teams stand above the rest as favourites at Euro 2024,’ he told The Times. ‘They are France, Portugal… and England.
‘It’s a huge tournament for Gareth Southgate and his senior players, and Gareth is right to say that the job is all about winning now.’
Despite rating England as one of the three ‘favourites’ to win the Euros, Rooney is ‘worried’ about the team’s lack of experience.
England will be without the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson. Both players were dropped by Gareth Southgate while Harry Maguire had to withdraw due to injury.
‘I worry about lack of experience,’ added Rooney, one of England’s greatest players, who won 120 caps and scored 53 goals for his country. ‘The squad is not as good as the one that came so close at Euro 2020.
‘It has a lot of really good individual players, but is not as balanced in terms of the mix between senior guys and those new to the international scene.
‘It’s not Gareth’s fault. Injuries and people losing form have taken important players such as Harry Maguire, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford out of the equation, and Gareth has picked from what’s in front of him.
‘He has gone with talent, choosing a group he hopes will go out and grab the tournament. Sometimes that works and sometimes it backfires, but given who is available, I think it’s the right approach.
‘I would only question a couple of decisions, and one was not taking Jordan Henderson.
‘Even if he was not going to start games, I would have had him there for his personality and know-how, his ability to speak to the young lads and be that reassuring presence that certain players in a group need sometimes.’
